Kenya’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, 2024 integrated waste pickers and recognized their crucial role in waste management value chain.
In recognition of this role,@NemaKenya through the support of the Royal Danish Embassy organized for a waste pickers meeting on 9th March, 2026 at a Nairobi Hotel.
The meeting was graced by the CS Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa, EGH accompanied by the NEMA Chairman, Mr. Emilio Mugo and Director General, Dr. Mamo B. Mamo, EBS.
While making her remarks, CS Barasa stated the government has come with policies to better the role of waste pickers in environmental governance. She added that the ministry has formally recognized waste workers as environmental workers as enshrined in the Sustainable waste management act, 2022.
She added that waste pickers should be regarded as critical partners in the waste management value chain as spelt out in the EPR regulations and in promotion of circular economy. She placed emphasis on the need to safeguard the health of waste in their daily dealings.
The NEMA Chairman noted that waste pickers are critical in the waste management value chain. He acknowledged the dynamics in the waste sector which are critical for seamless waste management. He emphasized for coordination and cooperation by all players in the waste sector.
The NEMA Director General, Dr. Mamo, EBS noted that the waste pickers are the ‘unsung heroes’ in the waste management value chain. He added that the country can only be clean if all waste generators take responsibility for their waste.
Despite waste management being devolved, the DG noted that the Authority in 2015 developed the 10 minimum points to be followed in the waste sector by the County Governments.
He underscored that the Authority has also urged the Counties to develop Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) to enhance waste management. He encouraged constructive dialogue in the betterment of the welfare of the waste pickers.
The forum brought together stakeholders in the waste management sector including the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs, Nairobi County, Waste Pickers Associations and Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs).
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